Report Launch: COVID-19 restrictions and the impact on criminal justice and human rights - findings from five African countries [28 July 2022]

Webinar Invitation

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing state responses had and continue to have diverse, and many unanticipated, consequences the world-over. Adverse socio-economic results for poor and marginalised people remain, and are deepening. Much reliance was placed on criminal justice systems to enforce restrictions but criminal justice systems (i.e., the courts) were themselves restricted in operations, resulting in negative outcomes for civil and political rights. 

Following previous reports published by Africa Criminal Justice Reform (ACJR) in 2021 focusing on states responses to the pandemic in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa & Zambia, ACJR together with in-country partners undertook further investigations to describe and analyse the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on criminal justice and human rights.

The reports make a number of overview observations dealing with broader issues of governance, human rights, the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and the criminal justice system. A central lesson to be taken from these findings is the need for continued vigilance in seeking a balancing of rights and the importance of evidence-based policy-making, especially where there is the potential that those already socio-economically vulnerable may be pushed deeper into poverty. 

ACJR hereby cordially invites you to a webinar to officially launch the research reports and findings emanating from these stakeholder engagements.

Facilitator: Lukas Muntingh (ACJR)

Panellists:

• Kristen Petersen (ACJR)
• Janelle Mangwanda (ACJR)
• Victor Mhango (Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance - CHREAA)
• Rumbidzai Mutasa (Ubuntu Justice Initiative)
• Tina Lorizzo (Research for Mozambique - REFORMAR)
• Lenson Njogu (Legal Resources Foundation Trust - Kenya)

REGISTER HERE

Following registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

ACJR wishes to acknowledge the Open Society Foundations and the Sigrid Rausing Trust for making the research and webinar possible.